May 11, 2015
Meet the three UW students named 2015 Goldwater Scholars
Back to the spring 2015 UAA e-newsletter >
Three University of Washington undergraduates are among just 260 students nationwide to be named 2015 Goldwater Scholars.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation scholarships are awarded to students who have “outstanding potential” and plan to pursue research careers in mathematics, natural sciences or engineering. The awards cover tuition, room and board, fees and books up to $7,500 annually.
Read more about the prestigious award on UW Today and meet the scholars in their own words below:
Ian W. Andrews
Major(s): Bioengineering
What excites you most about receiving the Goldwater Scholarship? I believe that there is a clear place for science and engineering in enabling increased access to low-cost, high-quality healthcare to all locations around the world. I am excited by the Goldwater Scholarship because it will support me throughout my career as I tackle elements of this grand challenge.
Can you share a memorable research moment from your time at UW? One memorable research moment for me was participating in the 2014 Undergraduate Research Symposium here at the UW. I strongly believe in the collaborative nature of science and engineering, as a result, it was inspiring to both present my own research, as well as to learn about all of the other compelling research being conducted by undergraduate students at the UW.
Who is one person you admire, and why? Picking just one person is difficult because really I admire all of the teachers and mentors that I have had throughout my life. The inspiration that these mentors have given to me and countless others is invaluable and I recognize that I would not be where I am today without all of their support.
Gina L. Hansen
Major(s): Bioengineering
What excites you most about receiving the Goldwater Scholarship? The award is a huge support and encouragement as I pursue my own passions and goals, and I’m excited to both perform research and communicate it with my community and the broader public.
Can you share a memorable research moment from your time at UW? I was (and continue to be) stunned by SEM images of red blood cell fragments captured on nanoscale silicon structures. It’s very cool that this diagnostic mechanism can be imaged so clearly, and it helped me (a visual and concept-oriented person) better understand our research when I was still new to our lab.
Who is one person you admire, and why? Elizabeth Holmes. She founded a company on big, nonconforming ideas and has initiative out the ears. Google her—seriously, she’s an inspiring woman in health care entrepreneurship.
Alice Bosma-Moody
Major(s): Bioengineering; neurobiology
What excites you most about receiving the Goldwater Scholarship? It is an honor to receive the Goldwater Scholarship and to know that others see enough potential in my ability to pursue a career involving research that they are willing to invest in my education.
Can you share a memorable research moment from your time at UW? A memorable research moment for me was the moment I decided that going through the process of design and discovery was something I could spend my life doing. I met the criteria I had pre-defined for an automated behavioral training system I was developing, yet continue to add small components and make changes to improve the system.
Who is one person you admire, and why? I admire my mother — she began her career in a very male-dominated field but had the confidence, drive and compassion to excel in her career and raise my special needs brother and me. She is deeply committed to her research and mentoring of students, and balances this with family life.
Back to the spring 2015 UAA e-newsletter >
University of Washington students like Ian Andrews, Gina Hansen and Alice Bosma-Moody are supported by the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards (OMSFA). OMSFA works with faculty, staff and student groups to identify and help promising students develop the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for local and national scholarships that help them expand their academic experience and follow their passions.